Dillon pays tribute to long time friend Ned Falloon

A councillor who was instrumental in helping Lisburn gain its city status in 2002 as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, has passed away.
Former Lisburn councillor Ned FalloonFormer Lisburn councillor Ned Falloon
Former Lisburn councillor Ned Falloon

William (Ned) Falloon CBE TD, BA, BSc, a long serving councillor with Lisburn Council, who suffered Parkinsons for over a decade died on Thursday.

Long time friend Jim Dillon and Ulster Unionist colleague described Ned, of estate agents JK Faloon and Co (Falloon Estate Agents) at Smithfield in Lisburn as a ‘remarkable’ person.

Ned, who was 82 years of age, was a retired colonel with the TA. He would often meet the Queen Mother at various receptions.

“He told me that he would often approach her to ask if she liked the wine that was served,” said Mr Dillon. “If she said that she did not, he would go off and get her a good Gin and Tonic. We often laughed at that.”

Mr Dillon received the sad news of Neds passing from Director of Environment Colin McClintock at Lisburn City Council.

“I was so shocked,” Mr Dillon said. “I had only been speaking to him last month and he was as witty as ever.

“Ned was a top adviser and instrumental in helping Lisburn become a city. He introduced the Lord Lieutenant in Co Antrim and Co Down to me when I was mayor. The Lords had a big say in advising the committee to the Queen.”

Ned who was also chairman of the Planning Committee for a number of years had served with the council for three terms. He left Lisburn City Council due to ill health in 2005.

He was married to Irene and lived at Eglantine Estate. The couple had one son Andrew.

Jim recalled, “I still visited Ned over the last few years.

“He would have been in and out of hospital but still lived at home.

Ned, was a former economics teacher at Lisnagarvey High School.

He and his wife would hold fundraising events for Parkinsons Disease.

“When Ned left the council he was greatly missed,” said Mr. Dillon. “We still sought his advise regularly on many planning matters. If he did not know he certainly made a point and found out soon enough.

One of his close friends Environment Minister Sam Foster, who also suffered Parkinsons Disease died just six months ago.

Both would call each other for a weekly chat offering each other support.

On Facebook MLA Edwin Poots said: “I am sorry to learn of the passing of Ned. I was vice chair of Lisburn Councils Planning Committee when he was Chairman. When I became Chairman, he was my deputy.

“He had a massive intellect and regrettably stood down from public life in 2005. He was beside Dad in hospital and I had good crack with him, his intelligence and humour still shining through.”

The Mayor, Cllr Andrew Ewing said: “On behalf of Lisburn City Council I wish to convey deepest sympathies to Mrs Falloon and to the family circle. We were very sorry to hear of Ned’s passing and know that he had suffered an illness over a number of years.

“Ned served as an Elected Member of Lisburn City Council and was well respected by all his fellow councillors. He held the position of Chairman of the Council’s Planning Committee and served on it faithfully.

“Up until recent months Ned still visited the Council and is to be commended for the amount of charity work he was involved in. He was a respected businessman in Lisburn for many years and made a positive contribution to our city and its citizens. He will be sadly missed.”

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